We travelled to Budapest via overnight train from Prague. The main reasons choosing overnight train were to both save the day travel and rest during travel time - actually, we were not sure about this choice (even flipped a coin to decide :P) but it turned out really well and definitely in our travel option in the future.
Before evening departure to Budapest, we left Prague for Kutna Hora during the day (that day Prague was snowing! Excited but a bit overwhelmed as I remembered seeing -2 degC current temperature in yahoo weather!). This is to visit St. Barbara church that is in UNESCO heritage list and church of All Saints/Kostnice Ossuary aka. the Bone church.
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| Snowing in Cathedral Complex, Prague |
There is small fee to visit each tourist site in Kutna Hora but there are combination tickets which are cheaper with more sites. We chose 3-in-one combination ticket that costed 185KC (~AU$10)/person (St Barbara church, Church of All Saints/Kostnice Ossuary and Cathedral of Assumption of Our Lady).
St. Barbara church was beautiful and majestic. But the big plus is it is in elevated location with its own garden, overlooking Kutna Hora town.
Next site is Kostnice Ossuary church that is decorated with human bones. This church obviously is one of a kind and not for the faint hearted. It was still an eerie visit even during the day. I do not think the church is still active as St. Barbara since it looks more like a museum.
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| Church of All Saints aka Bone Church |
Cathedral of Assumption of Our Lady, also in Kutna Hora, is not as expected since it was quite plain with some excavation sites inside - not many photos there at all.
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| Combination Site Ticket in Kutna Hora |
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| In front of Cathedral of Assumption of Our Lady |
Our train to Budapest was called Euronight that departed at 11.50 PM and arrived at 8.30 AM in Budapest. We chose first class cabin called "Sleeper" with its own bed and bathroom (toilet and shower) for approx. 200 Euro (two small breakfast included). There are other options available (without bed, with bed and shared bathroom). The cabin size is approx. 2.5 m x 2 m (bathroom area included) with bunk beds. Internal heating system and all basics are provided (i.e. soaps, blankets, some mineral water). Drawback was the train came quite late at almost midnight - if available, next time we would choose 10is pm departure. We slept well throughout the night, had our breakfast in cabin and showered before we arrived in Budapest - overall a refreshing and well-spent train experience!
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| 3xB (Bed, Bathroom and Breakfast) in Euronight Train Cabin |
We went to our hotel from the train station using taxi for approx. 3000 Forint (~15 AUD). Our hotel in Budapest was Intercontinental Hotel on the Pest side next to Danube river overlooking Buda Castle. It was approx. AU$250/night. Nothing wrong with the room but somehow we slept better in a train :)
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| Intercontinental Budapest Room View |
We headed directly to Matthias church in Buda through the Chain bridge as soon as after dropping our luggage. On my walk, I was miming "My house in Budapest, my hidden treasure chest.." By George Ezra.
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| Chain Bridge Connecting Buda and Pest |
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